#that's not even a good fleur de leis

[annbourbon]

Flowers inside the Cheritzverse

For the sake of this I'm gonna derail the post a bit because otherwise this is not gonna work lol we need to talk about fairies first~ fairies and flowers. Yes, the two of them are closely linked and I do not dare to make a different post for it. If we are to talk about the Wizard of Dandelion and The Cheritzverse, we need to talk about the fairy concept in general. I already talked about the magic contracts and karmic laws which in theory are not linked together irl but write do use it together, because it's kinda cool (?) but whatever~ so let's begin with the fae world. I'm not gonna delve a lot into it, just gonna touch the basics.

So 101 here~

They are not called fairies but fae. They are divided by Seelie and Unseelie Courts. And please, do not let your human thoughts think that ones are "good" and the others are "bad" or something like that. Actually, representations like that are more harmful than anything. They're not supposed to be similar or have affinity to human standards. So whatever you consider beautiful, ugly or inappropriate, it's different for them. I believe the same concept it's applied to good and bad for them. And that they have particular affinity to change if they see you want to "like them". It's fun to consider that the books of YA can't be more inaccurate sometimes *sighs* I won't try to fight those cause it's difficult to change an idea once established but, At least that's what I have gathered from the fairytales~~~~~

* Some devas are associated with fairies.

* Random fact that doesn't come on the fairy bible but~ did you know the earth has chakras too? And when connecting chakras with some powerful places (where several ley lines touch) it can create weird events.

* Water is a conductor. Always. And not only electricity but also ley lines can drift because of that.

* Seriously read about ley lines because these can be used as a method of transportation. If you want to read how would that work, you should read Kim Harrison's series, The Hollows. Which could tie my theory on how witches and fae folk and demons too btw~ can work all along the Cheritzverse. This is not exclusive on her works but it's where I have seen the idea explained in a better way. Which makes me think of several myths and stuff that has been going around for ages (big fan of supernatural and so weird series here so lol i've been studying mythology a lot.)

* Fae folk are diverse. So even if someone, yes even me, says one thing, another can say whatever and we're all free to enjoy them as we please.

So how does this ties to the Cheritzverse will you ask? Well~ that's why flowers and trees have a long and ancient culture around and even their own meanings.

Although there are versions in Greece where the Hesperides Garden contains several "sacred trees" (among those apparently it's the pomegranate. Which ties to Jaehee~ and others like The Monkey King legend in China where you can see the Garden of Immortal Peaches. it's all about paying attention to the detail to see the patterns.)

BTW I found the Fairy Bible so useful to help me in my defense and to build up how the Cheritzverse would work. Really, I wanted to create more on this but I had to cut it cause the post is so long already. For now let's delve into the language of flowers~

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From now on~ I grabbed the links, I copied/pasted and added everything I know so here till the end I'm gonna be quoting A Guide for the Flower Language and adding a lot of insights from A victorian flower dictionary, Le Langage des fleurs by de Latour (1819) and Floriography, among other notes I have. Check bibliography at the end of the post for more notes.

To make it clearer, I'm gonna quote it in bold. I'm also gonna go a bit more deeper than what the Mint Eye package and Cheritz said because I have some books and knowledge on mythology, and some knowledge (although not extensive or this post it's gonna become giantic) I have on medicine to add onto this, so be warned; this is gonna be a long post, but here we go~

Disclaimer: I'm not a medical professional. My family however has been dedicated to this for ages so I do have some knowledge on this, HOWEVER please do not take my word for this and attempt to self medicate. Thank you.

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For people who need to know only the flowers that are displayed here, in case they find another different~~

♡ Anemone ♡ Almond

♡ Bluebell ♡ Baby breath

♡ Bracken*

♡ Clivias ♡ Cactus

♡ Chrysantemum ♡ Clover

♡ Daisy ♡ Dandelion

♡ Daffodil ♡ Delphinium

♡ Daylily

♡ Eustoma/Lisianthus ♡ Forsythia

♡ Fritillaria Thunbergii ♡ Forget-me-not

♡ Geranium ♡ Gooseberry*

♡ Hyacinth ♡ Hydrangea

♡ Hypoxis Aurea ♡ Lily of the Valley

♡ Lily ♡ Lilac

♡ Mistletoe ♡ Myrtle

♡ Michaelmas Daisy ♡ Narcissus

♡ Rhondanthe (Paper Daisy)

♡ Rose ♡ Orchid

♡ Peony ♡ Pineapple

♡ Pomegranate ♡ Palm Tree* ♡ Serbian Bellflower* ♡ Sansevieria*

♡ Plumeria*

♡ Primrose (Cowslip) ♡ Tulip

♡ Weigela ♡ Willow

** Honorable mentions: Jonquil and Adonis.

* Working on this because they were late additions.

***Plumeria and bracken are mentioned by Henri during The Ssum. Henri says Plumeria means "I'm lucky to have meet you" but i will try to expand more onto it later on. I have zero knowledge on bracken.

**** Sansevieria is mentioned by Jihae in Dandelion. Thank you so much!! @cherrychipheart 😭😘 i'll be looking into it later and adding it here soon.

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A

Anemone - Forsaken, abandonation(?) Mentioned by Ray during a call. Also: Truth. Transitory. Endangered Love. Anticipation.

* Adonis is another flower related to this myth. The flower means sad memories.

Because the anemone's blossoms were thought to open on windy days and they're also short-lived, they have become a symbol of a transitory love that moves like a breath of breath wind. The original bloodred wildflowers were associated with Aphrodite upon the passing of Adonis from the earthly scene.

Then another paragraph comes like this:

These beautiful, fragile flowers come from the near East and the Mediterranean, and were first brought to Britain at the end of the 16th century [....] Their name comes from the Greek anemos, meaning 'the wind', because their delicate flowers appear to open in a gentle breeze, but are so short-lived, like a breath of wind.

Then it proceeds to describe the how the goddess was besotted with Adonis and he was fatally wounded by a wild boar and died in her arms.

She sprinkled nectar on his blood and fron that comes the anemone. Love is fleeting and doesn't last. That is what the flower represents. There's a representation in The Awakening Conscience from William Holman Hunt's 1853, where a small vase of anemones appears. Hinting that the affair will not last. Although it's not the only thing that hints that. The room is full of objects that talk of her predicament.

Although today they have more resilience, they still have the meaning of fading youth behind.

Almond blossom - Hope. (see birthday flowers down below for reference.)

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B

Baby breath - Pureness. Freedom. Innocence. Undying Love. (Usually seen and mentioned during Dandelion & Mystic Messenger) Also: Love Everlasting.

Bluebell - Humility. Also: Grief. Either the loss of a loved one or the end of an affair. Constancy. This flower is also known campanula, which depending on the location can be or not the same flower and mean Gratitude.Thankfulness.

*there's another 'bell' called harebell. This is why I prefer their scientific names. No way you can confuse them. At least ut hasn't happened to me just yet. anyways~ bellflower is gratitude, or an indiscretion, and bluebell (ironically i think they're not blue lol) mean grief. Do with this what you want lol

Bouquet of withered flowers - rejected love mentioned by Unknown in Another Story Also: Constancy. Dead leaves means sadness.

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C

Cactus - endurance (V's favorite) Also: Warmth

Clivias - Happiness, passion, kindness (Saeyoung Choi)

Also, fortitude, unyielding, modest and gentle. In many culture, clivia flowers are seen as a luck symbol for happiness, wealth and abundance, which is also one of the reasons why clivia plant is widely loved.

Chrysantemum - you're a wonderful friend, cheerfulness and rest. Condolences.

Used in funerals and placed on graves. This ritual may derive from the practice of decorating graves on All Souls’s Day, a christian holiday occurring in early November, when many blooms are difficult to find.

Red: I love. Love at first sight. Yellow: slighted love. White: Truth

The Japanese, who have made it the emblem of their emperor consider the orderly unfolding of its petals to ve symbolic of perfection. [...]

The essence of the flower is unravelled just as the truth is so often revealed: at first hidden, then brought into the light.

The flower didn't arrive Britain until 18th century. And in the 1800s the French had a craze for these flowers and a bestselling novel of the time was Madame Chrysanthème by Pierre Loti, who drew upon a lifetime of travel for the plots of his exotic romances.

Pair with: Willow for a friend grief, gladiolus for a broken heart.

Clover - Life to come. Be mine. Think of me (if it's white)

Credits to: @cheritzheadcanonz

Where? Jiyeon gives it to us in Dandelion.

Symbolizes: luck (green). Fortune. Yellow: hope and divinity, success, romance, red: love, white: purity. Purple: royalty. pink: admiration.

Also: marriage, faithfulness and protection.

A four leaf clover is considered as a sign of extraordinary luck. In irish culture, the shamrock variant is tied to St. Patrick Day and the Holy Trinity. The clover is also a way to enhance the connection to nature.

The ancient Druids in Ireland believed that carryng a clover allowed one to detect evil spirits approaching, while carrying one in Middle Ages led people to believe they could see fairies.

Clover" has roots in Old Germanic, evolving from "Klaibron" to "clæfre" in Old English, and eventually to "clover" by the 18th century.

Trefoil" derives from Latin, with "tri" and "folium" meaning three and plant, respectively, leading to "Trifolium." It was shortened to "tri-foil" in Middle Ages Anglo-Norman French and settled as "trefoil" in Middle English.~ HelloFearless

If paired with apple blossom and dandelion, shows hope that the recipient’s wishes will come true.

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D

Daisy - not really appearing but the closest flower to V's Rhondante aka Paper Daisy.

However and just for the sake of it let's do daisies. White: innocence. A love that conquers all. Wild: I will think of it. Oxeye: Disappointment. Patience. Also: Perseverance. Childhood

Back in the day, and sometimes today too~ people used to play adivination with daisies, by picking petals one by one ~ 'he loves me, he loves me not' was and is still known. Tied to Freya in Norse mythology. Goddess of fertility, motherhood and childbirth. In Celtic tradition, daisies grew for the spirits of children who died in birth.

Paired with baby’s breath as a gift for a newborn baby.

Paired with peony and violet for an expression of childhood bliss.

Dandelion - Smiling on all. Or as Cheritz would say~ Wishes brought to you. Divination and fortune telling.

The myth behind the «Dandelion»

Okay~ so I wanted to recollect everything I could before starting on the legend:

♡ Symbol of the Sun

♡ "The Teeth of the Lion"

♡ Enjoyed by Ancient Geeks, egyptians and Romans. Even used by traditional chinese medicine for overa thousand years.

♡ One of the most nutritional vegetables you'll ever find btw!

♡ Masters of survival

♡ The roots clone when divided

♡ It can cure the liver

♡ It's diuretic

This is one of my favorite flowers, now, the mystery is that no one really knows where the myth of wishing upon dandelions comes from, sone say it can be traced back to the Celts and other to the French. Some myths say that if you blow all the seeds off a dandelion with a single breath your wish will come true but if seeds remain, then it may depend~

Others think the dandelion tells the time or the weather. From food to medicine to dye, to carry dreams and wishes, every part of the dandelion has found some utility.

Daffodil - admiration. new beginnings. regard (Rika's favorite)

The lovely golden daffodil is a welcome, heart-lifting sight, as it marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new season. It comes into full flower around Easter time, when thoughts turn towards the renewal of life and the Resurrection. It is also known as the Lent lily or the Easter lily.

* Kind reminder that Rika is Catholic and also, this is another way of hinting she's not dead.

A more sombre note might prevail in rural areas, where it was said to be unlucky to bring the flowers into the house of anyone who kept poultry because this would prevent the eggs from hatching. (...)

(...) In some places, Wales in particular, the daffodil was used in traditional practice of "flowering the graves" (...)

It is said that the connection with mournful and unlucky matters comes from the old story that the name daffodil is said to derivr from the medieval Latin affodilus abs asphodelos in Greek ~ The asphodel, the plant that grew in the meadows of the underworld.

The Greek legend of Narcissus tells of a handsome and proud hunter who upon seeing his reflection in the waters of a spring, falls in love with himself and drowns. Daffodils were born to mark his grave.

If you pair a camellia with a daffodil, it means unrequited love.

Paired with clove, for hope and change.

Paired with sweet pea to indicate giving up on an ill-suited romance.

Delphiniums - big hearted person, dignity and grace (V) Also: Happiness. Levity.

Daylily - romantic love, forget painful events from the past. It's called the flower that helps to forget sorrows. Green: harmony, growth, rebirth. (Yoosung) White: fleeting beauty. Blue: Coquetry.

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E

Eustoma - mentioned with the latin name Lisianthus when you get to ask Ray for flower meanings. Everlasting Love.

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F

Fritillaria - Persecution.

Forget Me Not - True love, love at first sight, , memories, don't forget me. Also: I will never forget you. Remembrance.

The name of this pretty and delicate flower, which enamels riverbanks and garden borders with its miniature sky-blue petals, speaks of human longing for loyalty and lastingness. Its name comes from German folk tale about a couple who, on the eve of their marriage, take a walk by the banks of the Danube. The young bride admires a cluster on the flowers, and her fiancé goes forward to pick them for her, but falls into the river. Before he is carried away by the turbulent waters, he throws the flowers at the feet of his betrothed, crying, 'Vergiss mein nicht!'

Forsythia - Anticipation, new beginnings. Its early bloom, often before many other flowers have awakened from winter slumber, signifies hope and the promise of change. This makes it a perfect emblem of the optimism and renewal that come with spring.

In traditional Chinese culture, it is revered for its resilience and bright, uplifting appearance. In Western cultures, it is often planted in memory gardens to symbolize the continuity of life and nature’s enduring cycles. Forsythia was mentioned by Rika when meeting Yoosung, she said Yoosung looks like a bouquet of these flowers.

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G

Geranium - I'm happy because of you. Also: (oak leaf): friendship. Pink: preference. Scarlet: Comfort. Consolation and melancholy. White: gracefulness.

When its flowers drop, the exposed fruit is revealed to be pointed in shape, like a crane’s bill. The Greeks noticed this resemblance to the bird and called the flower geranion, from geranos, meaning “crane”.

Scarlet geranium is a very popular bedding plant that was originally sent to Europe from South Africa back in 1609. The sailors for the Dutch East India Company would pick them cause they would last through the voyage without perishing.

Gooseberry -

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H

Hyacinth - Games and sports. Rashness. Blue: Constancy. Usually seen in MC room in Magenta. Purple: forgiveness. sorrow. White: beauty, unobtrusive loveliness. Yellow: jealousy

The hyacinth takes its name and meaning from the Greek mythology. Hyacinthus, a beautiful young man, beloved by Apollo, died during a game of discus throwing, Apollo’s discus was knocked from its course by a jealous Zephyrus, striking Hyacinthus and thus, killing him. It’s said the flowers were grown from the blood that fell from his head wound as Apollo begged his forgiveness.

Paired with olive for peace and forgiveness.

Paired with pansies to indicate you betrayal haunts you.

Hydrangea - Truth, thank you for understanding, frigidity, heartlessness, (here's my own interpretation of this flower), seen in Ray's garden.

Also: Calm, dispassion.

Hypoxis Aurea - Symbolizes health. Very appropriate for a doctor (Henri)

Belongs to the Orchid-Lily Family. From Greek, words “hypo”, meaning “below” and “oxy”, which means “sharp” or “pointed”, referring to the ovary which is pointed at the base. Also called Golden Star Grass. Native from Indo-China, Malaysia. Asia.

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L

Lily - feminity, innocence and purity. Majesty. (Jaehee) Purity of heart. Fertility. White: Purity and rebirth. Sweetness. Usually for both funerals and weddings. (Yoosung's Christmas) Pink: Love, feminity and admiration. Red: Passion. Orange: Confidence and energy. Yellow: Friendship, thankfulness and joy Purple: Royalty, elegance spirituality.

Also: False and gay (outdated: gay meaning happy)

The lily name meaning comes from the Old English lilie, from Latin lilium and from Greek leirion. Originally, we took lily from the Hebrew word “Shoshannah” (שׁוֹשַׁנָּה), which was borrowed from the Egyptians. This name became popular in almost every culture across the world. It's Italy's national flower.

Please take note that daylilies are not considered true lilies. But then again there are at least 100 species of lilies so~

**Some parts of lilies and only some variants of lilies have been used in traditional medici e and culinary dishes to treat digestive issues and skin conditions. But most of them are not, and it can be dangerous if you don't know~ so please avoid intake if you're in doubt.

Lily of the Valley - Return of Happiness. Healing heartbreak. Unconscious sweetness.

This is one of my big peeves, you'll see, daffodils and lillies unlike dandelions, are actually poisonous. Or at least, this one, it's poisonous. And here they are in Cheritz saying to us that we need to believe in MC? Do we? Is the lily of the valley true happiness, or shadows of something else lurk around?

Also called sometimes Lady’s tears. There’s a short story where it is said that the Queen of the fairies asked a group of gnomes for a drink, so they had to gather nectar from blossoms in little porcelain cups. But it was late in tha day and the gnomes were worn out, so they tried, but fell asleep. Next morningm the gnomes awoke to find fast-growing grasses had lifted the little cups out of their reach, luckily the Queen saw their plight and cast a spell so that each cup became a white flower bell and any blossom they reached for became the correct cup to choose.

Lilac - For more of my rant here~ but the meaning of this flower it's first emotions of love. Love at first sight.

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M

Mistletoe - I surmount difficulties.

On a winter’s day, when the sun is long and the shadows long, the mistletoe is revealed in all its unearthly beauty, hoisted high in the leafless trees. It appears to have no roots, no means by which it can obtain nutrients and water, and yet remains fres and green when everything around is lifeless. Surely it cannot live? And yet, against all odds, the mistletoe flourishes. Hope. (appears during Christmas DLC ofc, 😉) there's a little story on my book of fairies that talks about the fairy of the mistletoe.

Myrtle - Love. Frequently associated with Venus, the myrtle bush offered her protection while she bathed. Since ancient times it has symbolized the chief of passions, love and according to classical tradition, it has the ability to both inspire and retain that emotion.

Michaelmas Daisy - A farewell, a departure.

Michaelmas Daisies are also frequently known by their Botanical Latin name of Aster. The name ‘aster’ is from the Greek for star, and refers to the shape of the flower heads.

As Aster: Wisdom, faith, valor. Greek name for star. According to the legend, the goddess Astraea cried because there weren't enough stars in the sky. Her tears fell to earth and turned into star-shaped flowers now called Asters.

Fun fact? It's one of the Flowers of Bach. Used to relieve fever, stomach ache and apparently has some specific vibration. Absorbs the full expression of the sun's communion with the earth at an exalted vantage point of altitude.

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N

Narcissus - Self love. Narcissism. Egotism. Overconfidence. So, people tend (me included) to confuse jonquils, daffodils and narcissus. While I already talked about this, I'll talk about it again~ here you go:

BTW~ if we talk about jonquils as korean birthday flower, it would mean answer to love. While narcissisus would mean mystery lol (see birthday flowers)

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R

Rose - The meaning it's quite simple. Love. Red: Passionate love. White: happy love. A heart unacquainted with love. Worthiness. My heart is free. Loyalty, pure love, commitment (Zen/Hyun Ryu) Pink: Grace. Modesty. Infatuation, beauty. Mildness, persuasion. (Zen's Christmas.) Orange: fascination. Yellow: jealousy, infidelity. Pale peach: Modesty. Burgundy: Unconscious beauty. Purple: Enchantment.

So for example if you gift someone a yellow rose, it's supposed to be jealous love. However the meaning might change if you put other flowers around.

In the Greek myth, Chloris, the goddess of flowers is said to have turned a beautiful, dead nymph into a rose, she invited Apollo to warm the bloom, Aphodite to lend it her beauty, Dionysus to add sweet nectar and the 3 Graces to supply charm, joy and magnificence. Chloris called her the Queen of flowers.

On a high note: I never liked roses because I thought of them to be too common. However, way before they were produced in mass, roses were so rare and difficult to find, so people would hold onto the petals even as they fell and dried. So it's interesting to know that, roses were once a symbol of fragility and rare.

Rhondanthe - Romance. Rose flower. According to Wikipedia, is supposed to be the name of a Corinthians Queen in Greek mythology who attracted a great name of suitors due to her beauty. Such beauty was a blessing and a burden so she sought protection in a friend and a goddess (different mythology here~ romans) Diana. The flower comes in pink and white. But there are little to no information that I could find for now~

BTW it seems this is another flower heavily associated with Adonis and Aphrodite myth. Also called paper daisy.

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O

Orchid - Refined Beauty. Love, beauty, refinement, beautiful lady, chinese symbol for many children.

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P

Peony - Happy life, happy marriage. Bravery. Bashfulness.

Also: Anger. Shame and ostentation.

The chinese call the peony "sho yu" meaning most beautiful. The ancient Chinese believed peonies were created by the goddess of the moon to reflect her beams at night. It was also viewed as a major healing plant. And in ancient Greece it was said that nymphs could turn themselves into peonies to avoid being seen by humans.

Paired with hyacinth and violet to apologize and ask for forgiveness.

Pair with: Foxglove as a gift for a secret admirer.

Pineapple - Cheerful welcome and warm reception. Symbol of hospitality. Good luck. I'm having a blast looking at Harry's flower cause he is definitely~ lolol

Apparently back in the day, it was really hard for European farmers to cultivate pineapples and it took them 200 years to make it work. So it became a symbol of royalty and privilege. You can read the whole story on the links, I'm not posting it because the post is getting so long~ but it's quite fascinating.

Primrose - The meaning is unconscious beauty. Winning grace. Also named as cowslip. (It seems Ray mentioned it's his favorite flower in a call.)

Pomegranate blossom - Elegance. Sanctity. Abundance. life, fertility. Eternal life. Good luck. Strength. Does anyone here remembers the myth of Persephone? I think these days it's one of our internet favorite couples lol so I won't really delve into it but~

I do want to point out the similarities between the games in the Cheritzverse and the myth. This however will be delved in another post and dropped into my References of pop culture~ masterlist I'm creating on the Cheritzverse.

Palm Tree -

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S

Serbian Bellflower - Everlasting love, gratitude, constancy. (Jumin Han)

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T

Tulip - Declaration of love. Arrogance. Perfect lover. Smile of sunshine. Joy in love and life. Yellow: Friendship, beautiful eyes (Jaehee's Christmas. Found other tulips on Harry's route but they were orange.)

A Turkish legend tells us of two lovers who longed to be together, Ferhad and Shirin, but their love is forbidden. So when Ferhad hears rumors that Shirin has taken her own life, he kills himself in order to be with her for eternity. Tulips~ symbols of his devotion, spring up where his blood is spilled.

Tulips are iconic flowers from the Netherlands, although they originally came from Persia. It became really expensive after being introduced from Turkey.

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W

Weigelas - faithfulness, grace and charm (Saeran Choi) Also: Riches. Maiden beauty.

Willow - (branches) bravery. Mourning, melancholy. Brought to Britain in the 18th century, originally from eastern Asia, usually lives by water, a trabquil slow-running river its favoured spot. Its branches are pendulous and low, and when the wind catches its leaves~ seems to be whispering sad and sorrowful things. The willow usually represents grief and sadness at the death of the lovers, remaining the same, trembling in the wind, watching the tragedy unfold. (See birthday flowers down below)

⋆ﾟ☽ *₊��� Birthday Flowers ⋆ ₊ﾟ☽ *⋆

There's another thing, in Korea your b-day has a flower that corresponds to the day you were born and not just to the month.

In this case:

⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆For Mystic Messenger⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆

♡ Zen [Apr 1st] ~ Almond (Faithful Love) Also: hope

♡ Yoosung [March 12] ~ Weeping Willow (The Sadness of Love) Also: Mourning. Bravery.

♡ Saeyoung & Saeran [June 11] ~ Fritillaria Thunbergii (Charm) Also: Persecution

♡ V [Sept 9] ~ Michaelmas Daisy (Memories)

Rika [Nov 3] ~ Bryony (Rejection) Also: Be my support

♡ Jumin [Oct 5] ~ Palm Tree (Victory)

♡ Jaehee [Dec 28] ~ Pomegranate (Mature Beauty)

⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆For The Ssum⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆

♡ June [Feb 9] ~ Myrtle (Whisper of Love)

♡ Harry [Dec 20] ~ Pineapple (Absolute perfection)

♡ Teo [July 7] ~ Gooseberry (Expectations)

♡ Henri [Aug 26] ~ Hypoxis Aurea (Looking for the light)

*LMAO they definitely knew of this which means I'm on the right track! Because Harry has a pineapple tattoo e.e which also means, V is the Wizard. I mean~ at least is heavily implied since he is the one who keeps all the memories. I remember what the V told to Jumin one night during Another Story common route~ and he really went for misdirection I'll misquote but it's about the same: "Jumin is my memories/ He remembers better than me~"

Sure~ whatever you say V 🙄

**In case you're curious about your own flower go to the links~

⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆

Final Notes:

It took me at least three weeks and I had some help to finish this post and it's not even fully finished 😭 while I don't like to post things like this, sometimes people around me have much more knowledge and can help me better. At this point it's kind of traumatic to publish it like this but please be aware I'm burned. I will keep updating. I just need to take a huge week or something because I also spent 3 days straight without sleeping because of stress so I'm posting this one and I'll edit it later on to add the stuff I didn't add yet like the mistletoe fairy and more on fairies.

I have yet to add some more from Dandelion, Nameless and The Ssum. If anyone wants to collaborate, do tag or rt with the flowers and dates of the guys of the Cheritzverse for me so I can update it with the new info. I'm already working on Harry's but it's taking me forever so any help it's welcomed and appreciated. You'll be added and credited ofc.

Tagging: @smol-grey-tea and @cherrychipheart who have been waiting for me all this time~ thank you so much♡

⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆⋆ ₊ ﾟ ☽ * ₊ ⋆

Links:

♡ Part of the credit here goes to:

Megami605Sama on X

♡ Ray's Guide of the Flower Language on Amino

♡ Reddit - The flowers and their meanings from the latest CG

♡ Your Birthday Flower

♡ Pineapple hospitality

♡ Pineapple story

♡ More on Clover

♡ Hypoxis Aurea

* ੈ✩‧₊˚* ੈ✩‧₊* ੈ✩‧₊˚* ੈ✩‧₊* ੈ✩‧₊˚*

Bibliography: *i'm updating this

♡ Teresa Moorey - The Fairy Bible (2008) [Pages: 15, 24, 25, 38, 46, 47, 56 - 60, 78 - 87, 90, 91.... ]

♡ A Guide for the Flower Language

♡ A victorian flower dictionary by Mandy Kirby (found it on archive.org)

♡ Le Langage des fleurs by de Latour (1819)

♡ Floriography by Jessica Roux (2020)

[professorsparklepants]

Why does every tiara on TV look like they bought it at Party City.

Alexandra Dowling as Queen Anne in ‘The Musketeers’ (TV Series, 2014-2016).

( Source: Farfarawaysite )

[thelostgirlfindingneverland]

Live and Learn: A tale of a girl going from pirate to lost girl. (Part 1)

I sit there taking in the sounds of the ship and smells of my surroundings as I lay in bed. Men yelling in the background, waves splashing the side of the ship, and that mix of salt water, cinnamon, and rum hung heavy in the air. This was the day, the day I would finally get some freedom from the confines of this ship. I was officially 16 and ready to start my life as a woman. I took a breath and rose from my bed reaching for the canteen of water at my bedside. I let out a yawn and contemplated getting ready as I took a sip. Any minute Killian would be in here yelling at me for sleeping in for the millionth time this week. Let me give you some background information. Killian Jones, Captain Hook as they call him, is my guardian. When I was 5 years old my parents died on a burning ship on their way to Southern France. I barely escaped the wreckage of the ship in a small paddleboat floating me out to sea. I was out there for 2 days before Killian found me floating about the ocean wailing for help. Killian saved me and raised me as his own. Teaching me the ways of a pirate and how to defend myself. You could say I was a little bit more than proficient with a dagger and cutlass. I was worth more than half of Kilian’s whole crew aboard the Jolly Roger. I smirked thinking about how the fight would go between myself and Smee, Killian’s right-hand man. Right on que Killian banged on the door, “Y/N, GET UP, THERE’S A LOT TO DO TODAY AND NO TIME TO WASTE!.”

“Ugh,” I replied, “I’ll be right out, getting changed now.” I stood up and went over to my wardrobe. “And there’s no reason to yell.”

Killian chuckled, “Alright, love, meet you out there.” “Okay,” I sassed, and I rolled my eyes.

Shuffling through my clothes I picked out the perfect outfit for the day. A short sleeved white blouse, a red corset with black fleur de ley details on it, black fitted trousers, tall black and red boots that went up to just below my knee, black armbands that hugged both of my wrists, and finally my belt that held my cutlass and daggers. I looked in the mirror and took my Y/H/C hair out of the long braid I had it in. Brushing it out I realized just how long my hair had gotten over the years. It was just passed the middle of my back reaching the top of the butt.  Today it was extra wavy as it spilled down my back. I went over to my vanity and picked up my heart necklace. I’ve had it ever since my parents passed. It’s the only memory I really have of them anymore. It was pure silver and had a ruby in the middle of the heart. Next I put on my silver and red earrings Killian got me for my birthday; they matched my necklace perfectly. Ready to go I tossed on my wide-brimmed black hat and left my quarters.

It was another beautiful day out on the sea. The sun beat down on us and the clouds danced around the sky bringing the sun in and out of focus. I took a deep breath taking in the sea air and looked around. The crew was up to the usual routine. Killian was running the ship from the quarterdeck steering the Jolly Roger along the ocean. Smee  was on the deck ordering the crew around. He turned around, “Ahoy lassie, good day isn’t it?” “Yes, it is indeed.” I replied as I hopped up the stairs. “Goodmornin’, Killian,” I said as I wrapped my arm around his back and leaned on his left shoulder giving him a side hug. “Ahoy Ash,” he replied. “So where are we headed today?” I questioned. “Neverland, got a trade deal I set up with Pan.” My eyes brightened, “Neverland?!” We have been there several times trading and Killian never, like not even once, ever let me leave the ship. “Will you finally let me join the crew for the deal?” I asked looking up at him with my big, Y/E/C  eyes. He let out an annoyed breath. “Y/N, what have I told you. Pan is dangerous and those ruffians he runs around with are too. Neverland is a dangerous place. So no, you cannot.”

“Killian,” I whined. “Come on, they’re just a bunch of kids. Pleeeeeaaaaaassssseeee.”

“No,” he retorted, “And that’s my final answer. We will dock and I’ll leave Charlie and Davie here to watch you.”

I let out a loud huff as I crossed my arms. “Fine, I’ll be up in the crow’s nest,” I spat as walked away. “Hey there lassie, no need for the attitude. I still haven’t thought of the proper punishment for you getting squiffy last night. Don’t think I didn’t notice,” he said looking at me raising his brow. I turned around arms still crossed, “Oh come on Killi I just had a little and we were celebrating my birthday. I practically a woman you know?” At that he let out a chuckle, “Sure, whatever you say love.” I huffed and walked away. What, I was practically a woman and I needed freedom. Freedom from ship and freedom from his demands. I would find a way off this ship, one way or another when we arrived in Neverland.

[illuminating-dragons]

Lay Here In My Arms (11/14): Love Squared

Pairing: Lily Luna Potter/Leila Marcos (Fading Scars)/Tilly Ascough (Fading Scars)/Danny McEvoy (Fading Scars)

Summary:  Lily Luna Potter was born to love, and love well. All her partners agree.

Notes: For your pre-reading, I would highly recommend 'Pity the Living', which will give you some background on Danny, and 'A Sporting Good Time' (within the Fading Scars hub story), for some background on why the hell there's track and field at Hogwarts. I'm playing a bit fast and loose with what's known of other wizarding schools, but this was all I could find on Pottermore, and I made some educated guesses. I am also playing a bit fast and loose with French--I'm technically bilingual, but it's been a while. I also just didn't bother with accents, please don't murder me. And the Arabic is Google translate.

Leila

           “Potter!”

           Lily turned. So did Al, next to her. It was rather confusing; she’d prefer to be called by her first name. She couldn’t imagine how her other cousins managed with the constant “Weasley!”

           It was Professor MacMillan. Lily’s heart sank. Her Head of House was very strict, and if he’d heard about her helping Al, Rose and Scorp…

           Professor MacMillan didn’t look cross, though. He looked rather nervous. “How are you, Potter?”

           “Well enough, sir. Can I do something for you?”

           “I’d like you to come meet a new student. She’s been Sorted into Hufflepuff, and she could use a Badgerina’s help.”

           Al snorted at the name, but Lily was fiercely proud of the group. It was a long-standing Hufflepuff tradition, involving anyone who wanted to be in it. The only requirement was that someone be in Hufflepuff, and they had to do several good deeds and not get caught doing them in a year. This led to the group being made up of a lot of kind but sneaky people (several of whom were Hatstalls) and they had a lot of fun. Lily had joined her first year, and she found it almost as fun as Quidditch.

           “Can Hugo help me?” Lily asked, waving goodbye to Al as she set off with Professor MacMillan.

           “Of course. It’s just…she seems a bit shy. She’s from Koldovstoretz, but she wasn’t doing well there, so her parents sent her here.”

           “She must be lonely,” Lily sympathized.

           “Well, do your best to make her feel welcome,” MacMillan said. He gestured to the portrait. “She’s in the common room.”

           “What’s her name?” Lily asked.

           Professor MacMillan winced. “That’s the trouble, Lily. She won’t tell me.”

           “What?!”

           “You’ll see.”

           Confused, Lily stepped through. The common room was almost empty, like always at lunch time.

           A girl was sitting on the sofa, a trunk at her feet. She was wearing the Hogwarts uniform with a Hufflepuff scarf, but she also had a scarf on her head, sort of like the one Aunt Luna wore when Lys and Lorcan’s grandmother came to visit. What was it called again? The girl had a very pretty one; it was black with yellow flowers embroidered along the edges.

           “Hello!” Lily said. “I like your—is that a hijab?” There, she’d remembered it.  

           The girl didn’t answer, but she looked up at Lily.

           Worried that the girl would think she was being rude, Lily rushed on. “Welcome to Hogwarts. My name’s Lily, we’re in the same year. Nice to meet you. What’s your name?”

           The girl didn’t answer.

           “Please don’t be angry with me. I didn’t mean to be rude. I can go get someone else if you like?”

           The girl was still looking at Lily very intently. Then she said, slowly and carefully, “Je ne parle pas Anglais. Je parle Francais.”

           “What?” Then Lily understood. “Oh. Je parle un peu de Francais. Je m’appelle Lily.”

           “Je m’appelle Leila Marcos. Est-ce que c’est difficile, ecole dans un autre langue?”

           “Nos lecons sont en Anglais. C’est un ecole Anglais.”

           Leila leapt up. “Quoi? C’est France, non?”

           “Non. C’est E—um…Scotland? C’est Poudlard!” Lily was grateful that she’d learned the French word for Hogwarts.

           “QUOI?!”

           “Ou penses-tu que tu es?”

           “Beauxbatons!” Now Leila looked scared. Luckily, Lily knew what to do. She dashed to the fireplace and tossed some Floo powder in.

           “Shell Cottage!”

           Luckily Aunt Fleur was at home, and she was able to come through and help.

           Lily didn’t understand all of it, but she got the rest of the story as it was retold twice, first to a red-faced Professor MacMillan and then to a very confused Professor McGonagall.

           Leila was indeed from Koldovstoretz, but her family was from Morocco. The Russian school was a rough, demanding school, and Leila had hated it, especially because several of the other students made fun of her chunni (“Oh, it’s not a hijab! Sorry!”) and the teachers refused to let her pray. Her parents had taken her out, and decided to send her to Beauxbatons instead, since she was fluent in French as well as Russian and Arabic. But somehow her Portkey had gotten mixed up, and she’d appeared on the steps of Hogwarts. She’d explained to the house elves that she was a new student, and they’d dutifully gotten the Sorting Hat, and once she’d been deemed a Hufflepuff, brought her to Professor MacMillan.

           “The one time I decide to take a day off!” Professor McGonagall sighed, exasperated.

           The solution was obvious. Leila’s parents were contacted, and in the meantime Fleur offered to stay and act as translator. Lily stayed too. Her French was okay, and with Aunt Fleur there she was able to teach Leila how to play Exploding Snap. By the time the Marcos arrived, Leila was laughing and Lily had lost seven times.

           “Baba!” Leila rushed to her father’s side. The man hugged her tight. Her mother put a hand on her arm.

           Aunt Fleur started explaining, and Leila’s parents started talking. Leila finally interrupted.

           “Baba, est-ce que je peux rester ici? J’aime Poudlard—Hogwarts. J’aime Lily.”

           Leila’s mother looked at Lily. “My daughter wants to stay.” Her accent wasn’t as thick as her daughter’s. “But I am concerned about her understanding her lessons.”

           “I can help a bit,” Lily said. “I know some French.”

           “I learn language fast too,” Leila said slowly. “I can try.”

           “That’s good.” Lily thought for a second. “And really, a lot of our magic is in Latin anyways.”

           “Why don’t I come for your lessons, Leila?” Aunt Fleur looked excited. “My English has gotten much better, and I can translate when you’re confused. I can teach Lily more too, so you two can communicate.”

           “Yes.” Leila smiled shyly at Lily. “I can teach too.”

           “I’d love to learn more!” Lily said quickly.

           And so it was decided. Aunt Fleur would be Leila’s translator, and Lily was in all of her classes. She and Hugo, who’d learned some French too, helped Leila with writing homework, and encouraged Leila to try out for Quidditch. Leila, it turned out, was a natural on a broom, and she was one of the best Chasers Hogwarts had seen in ages.

           Leila’s English got better quickly—“I already know three languages, the fourth is not as hard”, and by Easter Aunt Fleur went back to full time midwifing. Leila and Lily still spent time together, and Leila was teaching Lily Arabic.

           “It’s a tricky language, but I like it.”

           Lily struggled a bit, but she did it anyways, because that meant spending time with Leila before the sun rose in the common room. They ate buns they begged from the House Elves and Leila taught her the characters and reading and a few new words every day.

           She also taught Lily what it meant to have a major, deep crush on someone.

           This sent her into a bit of a panic—not because Leila was a girl, or even because she was Sikh (her parents already knew that Leila was bisexual), but because how could someone feel all this at once and not explode? This terror and need and joy and glory—was this normal?

           She Flooed home and crawled into her mother’s bed for the first time in ages at midnight, and Mum helped her through it.

           “Lily,” Mum whispered, “darling, I don’t think you have a crush. I think you might be falling in love with this girl.”

           “I can’t be in love!” Lily protested. “I—I’m too—”

           “Age has nothing to do with it.” Mum sat up, careful not to wake Dad. Lily would talk to him later. Right now it was between her and Mum. “It’s about how you feel. And you need to tell her.”

           “What if she doesn’t feel the same?”

           “Then she doesn’t. But Lily, be honest with her and with yourself. You’ve always loved hard, darling, but you love true.”

           Lily returned to the Hufflepuff common room just before dawn. Leila was already there with two enormous cinnamon rolls. “Where were you?”

           “I went to see my Mum—my māmā.” Lily sat down. “Leila, I know you have a plan for teaching me words, but there’s something I want to learn.”

           “Sure.”

           “How do I say…how do I say ‘I love you’?”

           Leila handed her a cinnamon roll and picked up her quill. She wrote it out. “أحبك,” she answered out loud.

           “Then…أحبك, Leila,” Lily whispered.

           “أحبك, Lily.”

           “That’s how I said it!” Lily protested. She’d gotten the pronunciation right for sure!

           Then Leila kissed her, and she understood.

Tilly

           “Come on, Leila!” Lily stomped her foot. “We’re going to be late.”

           Leila poked her head out the door, chunni askew. “You’d better go on without me.”

           “No, what’s wrong?”

           Her girlfriend looked at her miserably. “I’ve…got a cold.”

           “No you don’t. Come on Lei, what’s wrong?”

           “I just…I don’t want to go.”

           “Why not?”

           “I don’t like running around.”

           Lily went over to her. “Well why didn’t you say anything?”

           “Because…well, we play Quidditch together. And I’m your girlfriend.”

           “Yes, but we don’t have to do everything together!

Leila fidgeted with her scarf. “Lily, can I just watch?”

           “Of course you can! You don’t have to come with me at all.”

           “I like watching you run,” Leila clarified. “You’re beautiful.”

           Lily blushed. “Come on. I’m going to be late.”

           Lily bent over, breathing heavily.

           “Well done, Lily,” Coach Ryker said. “You’ll be a great addition to the team.”

           Lily beamed, her hair tumbling into her face.

           “Here, use this.”

           Lily looked up. And up.

           The girl in front of her was nearly a head taller. Everything about her seemed long and dark; long dark legs and arms, long dark hair that was barely held back by a bright yellow hair tie. She was holding out a pink one to Lily, and dark piercing eyes examined her over full lips turned up in a smile.

           “Mine break all the time. Still haven’t found a good spell for them.” The girl moved her hand. “I’m Matilda Ascough. Nice to meet you.”

           “Lily Luna Potter.” Lily took the hair tie and put her hair up, her skin hot. “I haven’t seen you around before this year.”

           “I’ve actually been going to Muggle school. Dad wanted me to get a chance to compete before I committed to magic.”

           “What’s your sport?”

           “Javelin and shot put.” Her arms looked like it. “You’re a good runner.”

           Lily shrugged. “I played football last year, and Uncle Dean said I might be better at this. I liked the running more than the game. Quidditch is more fun. Don’t tell him I said that.”

           “I wanted to try out for Quidditch, but technically I’m a first year, so I can’t play yet. Maybe next year.”

           “How old are you?”

           “Fifteen.”

           “So you won’t graduate until you’re twenty-two?!”

           “I might only go until OWLS. I’m not sure what I want yet.” Matilda smiled. “Suppose I should figure that out.”

           “Lily, you were wonderful!” Leila ran up and took her hand, beaming. “I’ve never seen you run so fast!”

           “She’s built for distance running,” Matilda said. Lily couldn’t stop her blush.

           Leila tilted her head. “Who are you?”

           “Matilda Ascough. Suppose you two can call me Tilly, Matilda’s a name for a much more grown up person.”

           “Hi. I’m Leila, Lily’s girlfriend.”

           “I know, I’ve seen you two around. You’re an adorable couple.” Tilly shook Leila’s hand. “Do you run?”

           “No, I fly. I’m a Chaser.”

           Tilly laughed. “Excellent! Think you could give me some pointers? I want to try out for that next year. I guess we’ll be on different teams…”

           For the first time, Lily noticed the red and gold on her nails.

           “I think we are.” Leila smiled tightly, putting an arm around Lily.

           Tilly smiled. “Well, why don’t we see about that on a date? By the lake after dinner tonight?”

           Leila blinked. “I told you, we’re girlfriends! Not friends.”

           “I was including both of you in that ‘we’, Tilly drawled. She winked at them. “What do you say?”

           Lily stared at Leila in shock. “Both of us?” She would never cheat on Leila. She loved her, loved her deeply.

           But Tilly was beautiful, and Leila had noticed too. And there was something there, something that felt right now that they were both in front of her.

           Lily looked at Leila. You okay with trying this? It’s sudden…

           Leila answered out loud. “We’ll be there.”

           “Lovely!” Tilly took Leila and Lily’s hands and kissed them. “See you later, lovelies!”

           That night they stayed out until the stars came out, and Tilly showed them how two could become three so very easily.

           “Alright, that’s it for today everyone, class dismissed. Read chapter four for next week, and this one will be tested.” Dad hesitated as everyone began to pack up. “Lily Luna, can you stay here a moment?”

           “Sure, Dad.” Lily kissed Leila’s cheek. “Save me a seat.”

           She saw her father frown, and she tensed. What was wrong? Was she about to get a lecture about making sure her relationship didn’t interfere with OWL studying?

           Dad waited until everyone was out of the room before he beckoned Lily closer.

           “Whatever it is, I didn’t do it,” Lily said. She had done a few things, but there was no way Dad could know yet.

           To her surprise, that made her father look sad. “I’m not angry, Li-lu. Just…can you sit down a moment?”

           Lily stayed on her feet, worried now. “Dad?”

           Her father took her hands. “I suppose there’s no easy way to say this. Lily…I saw Leila kissing Matilda Ascough. I thought you should know.”

           Lily burst out laughing. She couldn’t help it.

           “I’m not joking, Li-lu. I wish I was—”

           “No, Dad. I know you’re not. It’s just…” Lily trailed off. She hadn’t told her family about the latest development in her love life yet, because she didn’t really know how to say it. But clearly that had been a mistake.

           “What is it? Have you two broken up?”

           “No,” Lily said quickly. “It’s just Tilly…well, she’s with us now, too.”

           “I beg your pardon?”

           “It’s called polyamory. Tilly and Leila and I all like each other, so we’re all dating. It’s different, but I like it. We feel a bit more balanced now.”

           Dad was still staring at her.

           “I know it’s unusual,” Lily said, “and I know I should have told you and Mum, but it’s only been about two weeks, and I didn’t really know how to explain it.”

           Her Dad smiled. “Well, that’s lovely, Li-lu.”

           “Really?”

           “Sweetheart, all I want is for you to be happy. I’ll admit that this is a bit new to me, but as long as you’re all kind to each other I don’t see why it can’t work.”

           “We will,” Lily promised. “Tilly explained.”

           “Yes…” her Dad furrowed his brow. “She’s a bit older than you, isn’t she?”

           “Not by much.”

           “Well, I’ll have to have her by for tea with Mum and I to see her. Just to get to know her better, you see. But that’s fine. Is that relationship public?”

           “Not yet. Like I said, we’re still learning.” But it was so lovely to learn.

           “Alright. Then I’ll refrain from making jokes?”

           “Dad!”

           “I’m your Professor and your father, it’s my right!”

Danny makes Four

           Lily positively hated NEWTS.

           She and Leila had to spend nearly all their time studying, and for what reason? Lily had no idea what she wanted to do after Hogwarts, only that she didn’t want to do anything anyone in her family was doing. She wanted her own place, her own job.

           Leila was studying almost for fun (Aunt Hermione loved Leila’s colour-coding schemes)—she was brilliant, she could do whatever she wanted. But Leila was confused too. Professor MacMillan told them not to worry, that something would come up, and they should just work hard until they figured out a solution.

           Tilly was still a year away from OWLs, but she went to the library with the two of them. She was a good motivation for getting their work done quickly and correctly—that meant more time spent doing more interesting activities. Roxanne had already kicked the three of them out twice that year for those ‘activities’, although she should bloody talk.

           One night in January Lily simply couldn’t concentrate. It was another stupid paper for Transfiguration, and she loved that class but honestly she just didn’t care anymore, and she was tired, and Tilly and Leila were in a sort-of row and still hadn’t made up. Lily put her forehead on her knees and sighed deeply.

           Then she screamed in surprise.

           There was a boy under the table a few feet away, holding a cat.

           “What’s going on?” It was Roxanne’s voice, amplified.

           “Sorry, Roxy,” Lily called. “I got startled. I’m alright.”

           “Was it one of your girlfriends?” Her cousin’s voice was amused.

           “No!’ Lily said indignantly.

           “Alright then.”

           Tilly and Leila were staring at her like she’d gone mad, but Lily crawled under the table. The boy looked about her age, but she didn’t recognize him. There were a lot of kids in her year; twenty-six in the female Hufflepuff dormitory alone. Dad called it the baby boom.

           “Hullo,” Lily said. The boy looked scared, and he backed away from her a bit. “Are you okay? Do you want me to get Roxy?”  

           “Roxy?”

           “Madam Blythe,” Lily corrected herself.

           “Oh. No thank you. I’m alright down here.”

           Lily hesitated. Something about this boy was familiar. But it wasn’t him she was thinking of, it was of another cousin, who had two partners just like she did, who clung to a string of worry-beads on bad days.

           “Do you want to be alone?”

           “I don’t mind it,” the boy said.

           That settled that. Lily scooched a bit closer, her hands on her knees. “Nice to meet you. I’m Lily.”

           “Danny. I’m okay, really. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just easier to think down here, sometimes.”

           “Lily? Who are you talking to?” Tilly’s head was upside down, and her ponytail was falling in her face. “Oh, hi. Want more company?”

           “You three were studying,” Danny protested. “I don’t really need—”

           “It’s not always about need,” Lily said, remembering what Uncle George had told her. “It’s about what you want.”

           Danny blushed. His cat purred.

           Lily held out her hand, and the cat rubbed her head against it. “Beautiful cat,” Lily crooned. “What’s she called?”

           “Alice.” Danny stroked Alice’s fur, calmer now as Tilly and Leila joined them under the table. “Hi.”

           “I’m Leila, this is Tilly.”

           “Do you need anything?” Lily asked Danny. “Chocolate, tea, stiff Firewhiskey?”

           Danny looked startled.

           “My cousin Freddie has anxiety,” Lily explained. “He says the last one’s not always the best idea, but it’ll do in a pinch. So long as you have plenty of water.”

           Danny relaxed. “I just needed to be under the table. It helps a lot.”

           “Really?” Leila blinked. “I would have thought it’d be claustrophobic.”

           “Nope. I don’t have that problem. Just the anxiety. It comes out in my magic, which is why I have Alice. She makes it a lot easier. And hiding under here…it’s like a small, safe room.”

           Lily nodded. “Okay. Well, what do you want to talk about?”

           “I…don’t know? You can pick.”

           Lily hesitated, but she asked the one question she hated having to answer most, but everyone else seemed to love. “What do you want to do after school?”

           Danny’s face lit up. “I want to run a home for children.”

           “You do?”

           “Yeah. I mean, I had brilliant parents, and my sister Ellie—she’s the one who got the Headmaster to help me when I was little. But if I hadn’t had them…I don’t know what I would have done. Who I’d be. And we’ve learned so much about war orphans, and it’s still a problem when kids don’t have godparents, or they want to just leave home.”

           “Or if their relatives don’t want them.” Lily thought of her Dad, of God-Grandfather Sirius, of Bailey Longbottom (but born Bailey Harvey). “Or if they’re Muggleborn and in a bad place.”

           “Yes, exactly! And I…well, I like kids. Kids are great! I want to take care of them, but I don’t want to have kids myself. There’s plenty who are alive who need a home.”

           “I think that’s brilliant,” Leila said.

           “You do?” Danny smiled shyly. “I know it’s not exactly magical or exciting…”

           “It could be!” Tilly clapped her hands. “You could have programs for the little ones so they could learn before they come to Hogwarts, and do plays and sports and stuff!”

           “And there would be different kinds of kids, right? Maybe even from other countries; I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a wizard’s home for children.” Leila was tugging at her chunni. “And you’d want to make sure everyone learns about the world.”

           “And you could design the place so everyone felt welcome,” Lily finished. As she spoke, a design was taking shape in her mind. Astoria Malfoy had taught her the basics of architecture last summer, but Lily had given up when she realized how dull architecture could be. But building a house like this…and living in it, making it a home for anyone who crossed its threshold…

           She stopped. “Sorry, Danny, we didn’t want to run away with your idea.”  

           But Danny’s smile was huge. “No, this is great! I need help for sure. I know the legal parts of it—you know, figuring out adoption and guardianship and money and all that. But I was worried about how to do the rest alone.” He blushed. “I’ve needed lots of under the table thinking for that.”

           “I think we should do it,” Tilly said. “At least get started. We can build the house and sort out all the details we can, then get started.”

           “But we’re all very young ourselves,” Leila replied. “Do we really know much about taking care of children?”

           Then Lily had a thought. “What about the Shelter?”

           “The one Coach Dean works at?”

           “Yeah, with Parvati and Aunt Fleur. They mostly help grownups, but sometimes they have children with them. We could ask them for help, and maybe they could help us for the first couple of years.”

           “And I was going to leave after OWLs anyways,” Tilly said. “I could get started learning about childhood development, I’d get into uni easily.”

           Danny eyes were bright. “You really want to help?”

           “I have a wonderful family,” Lily said. “Wonderful people who love me, and I grew up happy. Everyone should have that chance.”

           “Can we really be parents, though?” Leila asked. “I mean, we’re all technically adults now, but…we’re still pretty young.”

           “That’s something I worried about at first,” Danny admitted. “But maybe…maybe we don’t have to be parents, at first? Maybe we can just be grownups who are taking care of them? And it’s going to take a little while to set up properly, anyways. We need funds.”

           “We need plans,” Leila said.

           “We need training,” Tilly said.

           “And we need a home,” Lily said.

           All that was an awful lot of work, but it was work at last. And Lily had a feeling that by the time they had that done, they’d be ready.

           She also noticed that Leila was eyeing Danny in more than a friendly way, and Alice was in Tilly’s arms already. And Danny had lovely eyes. He was looking at them too, more hesitant, but when Lily raised an eyebrow at him, his smile grew bigger, and he reached out for Lily’s hand.

           And that day in January, under a table in the Hogwarts library, Lily had a feeling that when they did this work, they would do it together, all four of them, bound by the same love.

           And that’s precisely what happened.